Get Help

Clarion's Own Monuments Man

January 5, 2015

Clarion’s Own “Monument Man”Kovalyuk Yearbook Photo

If you saw George Clooney's Monuments Men last year – or read the critically acclaimed novel by Robert M. Edsel – you probably experienced a gripping tale of duty, honor and sacrifice. What you may not have known, however, is that this particular slice of history has some Clarion roots.

Steve Kovalyak, a Punxsutawney native and one of the 345 members of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives subcommission during World War II, graduated from Clarion University in 1942 and joined the United States Army. There, he served with the Second Infantry Unit, until he was assigned to the MFAA in 1945.

Kovalyuk (on left)The MFAA had one mission: to collect, protect, and preserve works of art amidst the devastation of World War II. As the Nazis forced their way through Europe, they plundered artwork from museums, churches and private homes and hid them away across the continent. During and after the war, a group of 345 men and women from 13 countries – known as the "Monuments Men" – embarked on what would be called "the greatest treasure hunt in history," tracking down, uncovering and returning more than five million works of art.

Kovalyuk in Bruges“Works of art are worth far more than their monetary value,” said Vicky Clark, art historian and professor of art at Clarion. “They are part of our cultural heritage, revealing important beliefs and ideas from every era and every place. The events of World War II proved this as Hitler and his people attempted to control not only what artworks were seen, but even what was considered art. They ‘collected’ what they considered degenerate art – proving that art has the power to affect viewers in powerful ways – putting it on view as an ‘educational’ lesson to their people; and they even forbid many artists to make work. In addition, they looted an incredible amount of art, primarily taking it from Jews.”

As a first lieutenant with the MFAA, Kovalyak spent most of his tour of Kovalyuk (on right)duty in the field, working hands-on to excavate the artwork hidden by the Nazis.

“Many museums took extreme measures, hiding works in caves in the European countryside until it was safe to retrieve them,” Clark said. 

The MFAA located more than 1,500 repositories of stolen work throughout Europe, many containing thousands of paintings, and sculptures. One of the largest repositories was found in a network of salt mines in Altausse, Austria, where, along with lieutenant commanders George Stout and Thomas Carr Howe – Kovalyak helped to unearth, pack and ship a collection of more than 6,500 paintings.

“The Monuments Men worked hard to find, preserve and return the works,” Clark said. “Their service preserved our common cultural heritage, ensuring access for future generations.”

 

Last Updated 1/11/21